Preventing the Flu

Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot. Getting the flu shot helps protect you, your family and your community. Flu vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, primary care practices and other places you can get vaccinated.

• You can get your flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19. More on COVID-19 vaccines

• Are you 65 or older? Contact your health care provider or local pharmacy to find out how to get vaccinated. More about high-dose flu vaccines

Take Other Prevention Steps

• Prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid contact with sick individuals. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your nose when you cough and sneeze.

• Take flu medications if your doctor prescribes them. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness.

• Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of fluids.

• Tips to Prevent Flu and Illness video in Arabic | Bosnian | Chinese/Mandarin | English | Kirundi | Nepali | Russian | Somali | Swahili | Vietnamese

• Tips to Help Keep Illness from Spreading fact sheet in Arabic | Burmese | English | Farsi | Karen| Nepali | Spanish 

• Importance of Getting Your COVID-19 Booster and Flu Shot - December 2022
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About the Flu Vaccine

The Vermont Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention encourage all Vermonters to get vaccinated, especially those at high risk of complications.

Vaccination is recommended if you are:

• Age 6 months and older

• At high risk of complications from the flu, or if you are in contact with someone who is at high risk

High-risk groups include:

• Pregnant women

• Breastfeeding mothers

• All adults 50 years of age and older

• Residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities

• Healthcare workers

• Travelers

• People with certain chronic medical conditions

• People with a compromised immune system

• Anyone with a condition that can compromise respiratory function

• People at high risk for severe complications from influenza

Learn about flu vaccine coverage in Vermont

Learn more about flu vaccine from CDC

Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

Flu viruses are constantly changing, so the vaccine is reviewed each year and updated as needed based on which influenza viruses are making people sick, how much those viruses are spreading, and how well last season’s vaccine protects against those viruses.

How well the flu vaccine works varies from season to season. Each flu season, CDC studies how well the flu vaccine protects against flu illness.

Learn more about flu vaccine effectiveness

For the 2021-2022 flu season, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends flu shots and nasal spray as options for vaccination this season. The nasal spray is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, two years through 49 years of age. People with some medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.

Nasal spray flu vaccine effectiveness studies